Statement on House Action Today on Waxman-Markey Global Warming Legislation

Mar 31, 2009

By David Moulton, Climate Policy Director

“Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Edward Markey (D-MA) deserve high praise for introducing legislation that could break the congressional stalemate that has prevented this nation from tackling the potentially catastrophic challenge posed by global warming. The time is right for cap-and-trade legislation that enjoys strong, bipartisan support across the nation and in the aisles of Congress. We urge all members to join the House and Senate leadership in supporting this effort. It’s time to make clean, non-polluting, renewable energy competitive, phase out the practice of free dumping of harmful gases into the atmosphere, and restore the ability of our natural systems to protect us from the huge costs associated with not acting. Today’s action answers President Obama’s call to transform our economy for a prosperous clean energy future.

“Our children are looking to us to save their future from the folly of the present, and they will not forgive us if we do not seize this moment to tackle global warming and to lead the world toward a path of sustainability. The economic costs of failing to act will be far greater than the cost of taking action now to stop global warming. We pledge to work with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as she persistently and determinedly shapes policy on this urgent issue. She will need the support of her colleagues as she works to craft this climate policy parachute that will help arrest the environmental freefall caused by global warming. We need such a safe landing to ensure our human communities can continue to rely on the clean air, clean water, diverse ecosystems and wild habitat that support our nation.”